Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.
Tax Resolution Enrollment Services Scam Call

There seems to be a "Tax Resolution Enrollment Services" scam using the name "Elise Montgomery" asking potential victims to call 888-261-3296 and 771-247-4359. This type of scam refers to fraudulent phone calls, texts, or emails from individuals or fake companies claiming you qualify for government programs to drastically reduce or erase tax debt. These schemes aim to steal your personal identification data or demand upfront fees for fake services.

Top Warning Signs

  • Imposter Names: Callers use fake, official-sounding names like "Tax Resolution Team," "Tax Mediation Center," or "Tax Debt Relief Agency".
  • Immediate Urgency: They pressure you to act fast, threatening lawsuits, wage garnishments, or arrest if you do not call back immediately.
  • Unrealistic Promises: They promise to settle your IRS debt for "pennies on the dollar" or claim they can eliminate penalties and interest without evaluating your financial background.
  • Demand for Non-Standard Payment: The IRS never demands payments via prepaid debit cards, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

How to Tell It's a Scam

  • Official Mail is First: The IRS initiates almost all contact through postal mail delivered by the USPS. They will not suddenly call, text, or email you out of the blue.
  • No Agency Exists: Many of these organizations claiming to represent a federal tax resolution or mediation team do not actually exist.
  • You Do Not Owe Money: Scammers often blast thousands of numbers blindly to target vulnerable people. Many people who receive these calls do not even owe back taxes.

What to Do

  • Hang Up Immediately: Do not engage with the caller, do not provide any personal information, and do not press buttons to be "removed from the list".
  • Verify Through Official Channels: Never call the number left in an unsolicited voicemail. If you suspect you have a legitimate tax issue, check your status directly on IRS.gov or call them using the official numbers listed there.
  • Report the Fraud: File a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can also report IRS impersonation scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
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